December 20th, 2021Firefighters upskilling

A FIREFIGHTING training camp in Creswick played host to nearly 50 of Forest Fire Management Victoria’s newest recruits ahead of the impending bushfire season.
The course covered hands-on training in tackling a forest bushfire including dry firefighting techniques, given water is a scarce commodity in many situations, and skills needed to construct a mineral earth control line.
FFMV is responsible for fire management in state forests, national parks and protected public lands.
More than 600 seasonal firefighters have been recruited for the coming bushfire season with a further 154 permanent staff added to FFMV workforce.
This is part of the state government’s recent announcement of a $517 million investment in the 2021/2022 budget for firefighting services.

Words: Narelle Groenhout